Decorating device



ct. 9," 1934. L. RAYMOND 1,975,093 DECORATING DEVICE Mnkww y a I??? a /2 a Filed Sept. 21, 1953 Patented Oct. 9, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT ol-rice DECORATING DEVICE Lambert L. Raymond, Minneapolis, Minn.

- Claims.

This invention relates to a decorating device orornament and while the same may have various applications, it is particularly designed for a Christmas tree ornament or a decorating device for a window.

It is an object of thisinvention to provide a simple and inexpensive device which may be suspended in the desired location and which will have motion imparted thereto by a breeze or other means and which will give a pleasing and unusual effect when so moved.

I It is a further object of the invention to provide a decorating device comprising a thin, comparatively narrow strip of material twisted into the form of a helix and having a-high reflecting surface in combination with a strand of flexible material such as twistedthread, by which it is suspended whereby said thread will oscillate about its longitudinal axis and said strip will be oscillated and will give the eiiect of being moved up and down due to its helical formation.

It is further an object of the invention to provide a decorating device comprising a substantially horizontal support, a; plurality of strands of flexible material such as twisted thread extending therefrom in spaced relation, said strands having secured to their lower ends and suspended thereby, strips of material having high reflecting surfaces and twisted into the form of helices, said strips being preferably twisted in different ways so that some .of' them appear to move upward when rotated and others appear to move-downward.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a decorating device comprising a plurality of strips -of material, which strips are twisted into the form of helices, said strips preferably being twisted in different ways and being suspended in-parallel relation by means constructed and arranged to oscillate the same, said strips having high reflecting surfaces whereby when they are oscillated they simulate beads which appear to move up and down.

It is still further an object of the invention to provide. a device as set-forth in the preceding paragraph together with means for causing oscillation or rotation of said strips.

These and other objects and advantages of the 5 invention-will be fully set forth in the following Fig. 1 is a view in front elevation of the device;

Application September 21, 1933, Serial No. 696,387 I Fig. 2 is a view in front elevation showing a modification; and i 7 Fig. 3 is a view-in front elevation showing an, other modification, Figs. 2 and 3 being on a reduced scale and having the lower portion thereof 39 broken away.

Referring tothe drawing, particularly Fig. 1, a device is shown comprising a supporting bar 5 formed of rigid material and which is substantially rectangular in vertical cross section, the 55 same being shown as having its greatest width at its central portion and tapering in widthtowards its ends. Said strip is illustrated as having a central opening 5a therethrough by means of which it can be suspended at any desired point. lb

Strip 5 is shown as having adjacent its lower edge, a plurality of apertures 5b in each of which is secured the upper end of a strand of flexible material 6. Each member 6 is preferably of some material having a tendency to rotate about its longitudinal axis'such as a thread or cord made of twisted strands of fiber. Such members, when. moved, naturally oscillate or rotate about their longitudinal axes. The other end of each member 6 is secured to a strip of twisted material 7.- These strips are comparatively narrow and each is twisted into the form ofv a helix. Said strips also have high reflecting surfaces so that each convolution has thereon a high spot or bright spot 7a which reflects the highest light within the range of reflection of said convolution. The strip '7, shown farthest to the left in Fig. 1, and. the strip adjacent thereto are uniformly twisted throughout their lengths in the same direction. The third strip from the left as shown in Fig. 1 is uniformly twisted but twisted in the opposite direction from those to the'left thereof. The strip 7, which is fourth from the left-hand end in' Fig. 1, is twisted in the same direction as the one to the left thereof but the pitch of the twist increases toward the upper end so that the convolutions are successively shorter toward the upper end of said strip. Strip '71), shown in Fig. 1, is twisted in the same direction as the two strips at the left of said figure and is uniformly 10o twisted. Strip 70, which is the central strip in Fig. 1, is twisted'in the same direction as the strip farthest to the left -but like the strip 7d which is fourth from the left, has the pitch of twist increasing towardits upper end so that the 105 convolutions are successively shorter. The strip 7e has a portion at its upper endtwisted in the same direction as strip 712 and the same has alower portion U which is flat or untwisted and a still lower portion 79 againtwisted as is the top portion. Another flat portion 7h is disposed below portion 7g and another twisted portion 7i is disposed below portion 7h which is twisted in a direction opposite to portion '79. The strip which is fourth from the right-hand side of Fig. 1 has an upper twisted portion '77 at its top twisted oppositely to portion '75! and the same has a flat or untwisted portion 7k below portion '77. Said strip has a twisted portion 7m below portion 7k twisted oppositely to portion '77 and the same has another flat portion 7n and another lower twisted portion 70 twisted in the same direction as portion '77. The strip third from the right-hand side of Fig. 1 is the same as the end strip at the left-hand side of said figure. The strip which is ,second from the right-hand end of Fig. 1 has a portion 7p at its upper end having a uniform twist extending inthe same direction as portion '71 and the'same has a flat or untwisted portion 'Iq substantially midway of its length below which is another twisted portion of uniform twist 7r, twisted oppositely to portion 7p. The strip at the right-hand end of Fig. 1 is similar to the strip to the left thereof, except that the twisted portions at the upper and lower ends are respectively opposite in direction to those of the strip to the left.

The strips are preferably of different colors and different colors are indicated thereon in Fig-.1. The strip at the left-hand end is indicated as green, the one to the right thereof as purple and the third strip from the left is white'or of silver color. The fourth strip from-the left is indicated as blue, the one to the right thereof as yellow and the central strip as red. The strip to the right of the central strip is indicated as blue as. is also the fourth strip from the right of Fig. 1. The third strip from the right is indicated as being white or nickel or silver-plated, the one to the right thereof is indicated as red and the strip at the right-hand end is indicated as green.

In operation, the device will be suspended from a pin, nail or other supporting element passing through opening 5a. There will usually be some little vibration or breeze present and the threads or flexible members 6 will oscillate about their longitudinal axes or twist somewhat and untwist so that the strips '7 will be oscillated about their longitudinal axes. This twisting and untwisting effect is common with ordinary thread or any flexible material which is made of twisted strands. As the strips '7 oscillate, they appear to move up and down due to the helical formation thereof and the movement of the high lights 7a thereon. ,As one of the strips is rotated, the high spot or high light '74: moves lengthwise thereof and can be followed with the eye as it moves throughout the length of the twisted portion. Some of the strips appear to be moving upward while those that are twisted in the opposite direction appear to be moving downward. Where the twists are in opposite directions on the same strip, part of the strip appears to be moving in one direction and the other part in the opposite direction. A very peculiar and unusual effect is thus produced. When viewed at a short distance'the strips appear as strings of .beads with pointed ends and these beads appear to be moving upwardly .or downwardly upon a string. A very interesting and charming effect is given by the strips which are of various colors and of various shapes. The deception as to the movement of the strips is most complete.

Intheformshowninrlglaflexiblemember' suchasacordorthreadsis'shownprefera y made from twisted strands and the ends of this flexible member are secured to a resilient strip or bow 9. Bow 9 has secured centrally thereto a tensile spring 10 provided at its upper end with an eyelet 10a by means of which it can be supported on any suitable support. Member 8 has secured or tied thereto in spaced relation therealong, flexible members 11 preferably in the form of twisted thread or cord. Members 11 have secured to their lower ends respectively, strips '7 as already described in connection with Fig. 1.

When the device shown in Fig. 2 is supported there will be some motion thereof due to the resiliency of spring 10 and bow 9 and the tension on member 8 will be alternately increased and decreased. This will cause some stretching of member 8 as the tension is increased and will cause a twisting movement of members 11 which will make them oscillate about their longitudinal axes. This will oscillate the members '7 and the effect above described of these members moving up and down will be produced.

In Fig. 3 a flexible member 12 is shown similar to member 8 and the same is secured at one end to a tensile spring 13 having an eyelet 130. at its other end by means of which it will be secured to a fixed support. The other end of member 12 is secured to one end of a lever 14 fulcrumed upon a stationary pivot 15. The lower end of lever 14 is disposed so as to be engaged by a cam 16 secured to a rotatable shaft 1'7 which will be rotated from any suitable source of power. A plurality of flexible members 18 are secured to member 12 in spaced relation and depend therefrom, the same having secured to their lower ends and suspended thereby, the strips '7 as described in Fig. 1.

In operation, the tension in member 12 will be alternately increased and decreased due to the oscillation of lever 14 by the cam 16. Member 12 will be stretched slightly and this will cause twisting or oscillating movement of members 18 about their longitudinal axes. Members '7 will thus be rotated or oscillated about their longitudinal axes and the moving effect of these members already described will be produced.

From the above description it is seen that applicant has produced a decorating device of simple, novel and eflicient structure and one which produces an unusual optical effect. When the device, as shown in Figs. 1 or 2, is suspended from its support, there is suflicient movement of air or suflicient vibration to keep the strips '7 in motion. As above described this causes a. very peculiar, interesting and beautiful effect. As stated, the high spots 7a move upwardly or downwardly along the strips as they rotate. These spots can be followed by the eye along the whole length of the strip when the same rotates a sumcient number of times. The strips that are twisted in opposite directions at their respective ends appear to be continually separating and the strips having the flat portions therein give the effect of the twisted portions or convolutions which appear as beads moving out of or into the flat portions. The strip'lb gives the effect of the convolutions, which, as stated, appear as beads growing smaller as they move toward the upper end of the strip. The different colors on the strips augment the beautiful effect of the device.

'lhedevicecanalsobeusedtoreflectllsht 'hmtbestripsareofonecolorordiirerent 15d colors. It is obvious that the colors of the strips may be varied as desired. The device has been amply demonstrated in actual practice and found to be very successful and to have a high degree of utility for the p se intended.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the parts, without departing from the scope of applicant's invention, which generally stated, consists in a device capable of carrying out the objects above set forth in the parts and combinations of parts disclosed and defined in the appended cla What is claimed is:--

l. A decorating device having in combination, a thin strip of material of comparatively small width having a high reflecting surface and twisted into the form of a helix, a support above said strip and a flexible strand of material adapted to rotate about its longitudinal axis secured to said strip at one end and to said support at the other end and by means of which said strip is suspended, said strip being free at its lower end whereby upon any motion of said support or strip the latter will oscillate due to said strand and its lower end will appear to move up and down.

2.. A decorating device having in combination, a thin strip of material having a high reflecting surface and twisted into the form of a helix, a support abovesaid strip and a flexible strand of twisted material having a tendency to oscillate about its longitudinal axis secured to said strip at one end and to said support at its upper end and by meansof which said strip is suspended whereby upon motion of said strip or supp rt said strip willoscillate due to said strand and its lower end will appear to move up and down.

3. A decorating device having in combination, athinstrip ofmaterialhavingahighreflecting surface and twisted in one direction for a part. ofitslengthtoforma helixandtwistedinthe opposite direction for a part of its length to form a helix and a flexible strand of material adapted to rotate about its longitudinal axis secured to said strip at one end and by means of which said strip is suspended with its lower end free, said strand acting to oscillate said strip-upon any motion due to a breeze or vibration.

4. A decorating device having in combination, a substantially horizontal support, a plurality of spaced strands of material connected thereto and depending therefrom, said strands being constructed so that they are adapted to oscillate said strips having the convolutions of its helix about their longitudinal axes, each strand having connected to its other end and freely suspended therefrom a thin strip of material twisted into the form of a, helix, said strips extending in parallel relation and having a high reflecting surface whereby high light spots appear on said strips and the convolutions thereof simulate beads and upon any motion of said-strips due to a breeze or vibration said beads appear to move up and down.

5. The structure set forth in claim 4, some of said strips being twisted in one direction and some of said strips twisted in opposite direction.

6. The structure set forth in claim 4, one of decreasing in length towards one end of its strip.

'7. A decorating device having in combination, a piece of flexible material, means for supporting said material in substantially horizontal podtion, a plurality of strands of flexible material secured to said piece and depending therefrom in spaced relation, said strands being constructed so as; to, oscillate about their longitudinal axes. and each having a strip of flat material having a high reflecting surface connected thereto and suspended thereby, said strips extending in parallel relation and each being twisted into the form'of ahclix andmeans for intermittently placing stress on said piece of material to cause said strands to twist and rotate said strips.

8. A decorating device having incombination, athinstripofmaterialhavingahighreflecting surface, portions of said strip being twisted to form helices, said portions being separated by flat or untwisted portions of said strip and a flexible strand of material adapted to rotate about itslongitudinal axis secured to one end of said strip and by means of which said strip is, suspended.

9. A decorating device having in combination, a thin strip of material of comparatively small width having a high reflecting surface and twistedintotheformofahelimaflexiblestrandoi material adapted to rotate about its longitudinal axissecured tosaidstripatoneendbywhichsaid strip is suspended and means for earning oscillation of said strip.

10. A decorating device having in combination, a strip of rigid material having a surface adaptedtoreflectlightandtwistedintotheformofa-m helix and means by which said strip is suspended adapted .to oscillate said strip about its longitudinal axis.

. LAMBERT L. RAYMOND. 

